Alnwick Castle is the ancestral home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland and is one of the finest castles in the British Isles. It is of Norman origin and dates from the early 12th century, when the motte and two baileys of earlier times were strengthened with stone in place of wood. About the time of its acquisition by the Percy's just after Edward I's death the keep was augmented by circular towers and the gatehouse further fortified. The place was little altered until the 18th century, and after the end of the 16th the Percys ceased to live there at all for several generations.

The current Duke and Duchess of Northumberland took up residence of the castle after the death of the Duke's brother in 1995 and have put Alnwick Castle firmly on the tourist map. In 1996 a project was launched to transform the gardens at Alnwick Castle and a fabulous water garden has been created within the 150-year-old garden walls. The castle is also receiving much publicity and fame from the Harry Potter films which feature Alnwick Castle.